Trampoline frame connector

ABSTRACT

A trampoline includes a trampoline bed suspended above the ground on trampoline legs. Springs mounted on the traveling frame suspend the trampoline bed above the ground. A trampoline frame has a frame connector that connects to a first horizontal member. The frame connector also connects to a second horizontal member. A trampoline leg includes a vertical leg member connected to a horizontal leg member. The trampoline leg connects to the frame connector. A frame connector large tube extends downwardly to a frame connector small tube. The frame connector large tube transitions to the frame connector small tube at a frame connector constriction.

This application is a non-provisional filing of U.S. provisional application 62/403,577 entitled Trampoline Frame Connector by the same inventor Samuel Chen filed Oct. 3, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of trampoline frame connectors.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of different trampoline frame connectors connect different frame portions of trampolines together. The trampoline frame connectors have a variety of different configurations due to the dynamic stress of a trampoline during usage.

In U.S. design Pat. No. D758,515, entitled Trampoline and published Jun. 6, 2016, by inventor Tsai, a vertical pole onto which handlebars are fitted is attached to a circular trampoline frame by means of bolts and cross braces to three of the frame legs, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,905, entitled Trampoline Exercise Steadying Structure and published Jul. 8, 1986, by inventor Vrana illustrates and describes a safety and steadying structure comprising two vertical poles joined by a horizontal bar and attached to a trampoline frame by means of U bolts. Diagonally oriented poles stemming from said trampoline provide further support to the vertical poles, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Inventor Fisher attaches a handlebar to a trampoline framework set on rollers in his invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,933A, entitled Exercise Device and published Dec. 25, 1984. The handlebar provides a hand hold for users while performing twisting and turning exercises on the trampoline bed, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In U.S. design Pat. No. D325,951, entitled Trampoline Exerciser and published May 5, 1992, inventor Johnson illustrates a rectangular trampoline platform surrounded by a rectangular frame. A U-shaped apparatus extends from the front of the frame to serve as a handlebar for the user, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Inventor Stanley describes his trampoline-like aerobic exerciser apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,530, entitled Trampoline-Like Aerobic Exercise Apparatus And Method and published Jun. 6, 1989. The apparatus is designed having a raised, circular, and resilient base for use as the exercise mat. A vertical, railed handle member attached to the base member provides a means for balancing during exercise, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A trampoline has a trampoline bed suspended above the ground. A plurality of springs suspend the trampoline bed above the ground. A trampoline frame has a frame connector that connects to a first horizontal member. The frame connector also connects to a second horizontal member. A trampoline leg includes a vertical leg member connected to a horizontal leg member. The trampoline leg connects to the frame connector. A frame connector large tube extends downwardly to a frame connector small tube. The frame connector large tube transitions to the frame connector small tube at a frame connector constriction.

A frame connector middle gap segments a frame connector large tube first side from a frame connector large tube second side. A frame connector middle gap segments a frame connector small tube first side from a frame connector small tube second side. A frame connector small tube attachment opening connects to the vertical leg member. A frame connector upper portion is formed on the frame connector. The frame connector upper portion has a frame connector upper portion front opening and a frame connector upper portion rear opening. A frame connector upper portion gap is formed between the frame connector upper portion front opening on the frame connector upper portion rear opening. The frame connector upper portion gap extends downwardly to merge with a frame connector middle gap.

The frame connector upper portion front opening has a frame connector upper portion front opening square corner. The frame connector upper portion rear opening has a frame connector upper portion rear opening square corner. The frame connector further comprises a frame connector upper portion that has a flat top. The frame connector receives an upper bolt connector that is centered over the frame connector large tube and the frame connector small tube. The upper bolt connector passes through the frame connector. The first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member connects the first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member to the frame connector.

An object of the present invention is to relieve stress on trampoline frame members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a exploded view diagram of the assembly of a trampoline leg and trampoline frame.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame connector.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame connector.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the frame connector in cross-section with a first horizontal member and second horizontal member received within the frame connector upper portion.

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the frame connector.

FIG. 6 is a close-up exploded view showing the connection between the frame connector and the first horizontal member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the insertion of the first horizontal member into the frame connector.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a trampoline.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the element numbers of the drawings.

-   10 Trampoline Frame -   20 First Horizontal Member -   21 Spring Aperture -   22 First Horizontal Member Socket Connection -   23 First Horizontal Member Bolt Opening -   24 Enclosure Net -   25 Pad -   26 Enclosure Pole -   27 Bounding Bed -   28 Spring -   30 Frame Connector -   31 Frame Connector Large Tube First Side -   32 Frame Connector Large Tube Second Side -   33 Frame Connector Constriction -   34 Frame Connector Small Tube First Side -   35 Frame Connector Small Tube Second Side -   36 Frame Connector Middle Gap -   37 Frame Connector Small Tube Attachment Opening -   38 Frame Connector Lower Edge Opening -   39 Frame Connector Flare Section -   40 Second Horizontal Member -   41 Second Horizontal Member Formed Interface -   42 Second Horizontal Member Smaller Tube -   43 Second Horizontal Member Smaller Tube Opening -   44 Second Horizontal Member Larger Tube -   50 Vertical Leg Member -   51 Vertical Leg Member Upper Opening -   52 Vertical Leg Member Lower Opening -   53 Enclosure Connector Upper Opening -   54 Enclosure Connector Lower Opening -   60 Horizontal Leg Member -   61 Horizontal Leg Member Smaller Tube Opening -   62 Horizontal Leg Member Smaller Tube -   63 Horizontal Leg Member Formed Interface -   64 Horizontal Leg Member Larger Tube -   70 Frame Connector Upper Portion -   71 Frame Connector Upper Portion Front Opening -   72 Frame Connector Upper Portion Rear Opening -   73 Frame Connector Upper Portion Gap -   74 Flat Top -   75 Frame Connector Upper Portion Front Opening Square Corner -   76 Frame Connector Upper Portion Rear Opening Square Corner -   81 Frame Connector Constriction Weld -   82 Angled Fold -   83 Lower Angled Bottom Profile -   84 Frame Connector Upper Portion Gap Weld -   85 Frame Connector V-Shaped Profile -   86 First Horizontal Member V-Shaped Profile -   88 Upper Bolt Connector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a trampoline frame 10. The trampoline frame 10 elevates a trampoline bed above the ground. The trampoline frame includes a generally horizontal frame in the shape of a ring that is elevated above the ground by legs. The trampoline legs are made of tubular steel similar to the trampoline frame. The trampoline legs are connected to the trampoline frame at a plurality of frame connectors 30. The horizontal frame member 20 has a plurality of spring apertures 21 for receiving hook ends of springs 28. The springs suspend the bed above the ground. FIG. 8 shows a trampoline with a spring 28, an enclosure net 24, a pad 25, an enclosure pole 26 and a bounding bed 27.

The present invention is an improvement in the frame connector 30. The frame connector 30 is formed from a metal plate folded in half with a socket formed between the folded metal plate. The frame connector 30 is then welded to maintain its folded configuration and then the frame connector 30 is welded to the vertical leg member 50. This provides a frame connector 30 that has a thickness that is greater than the wall thickness of a first horizontal member 20 and greater than the wall thickness of a second horizontal member 40. The frame connector 30 preferably has a wall thickness that is at least 20% thicker than the material of the horizontal frame members. The frame connector 30 can be thought of as a strap that ties down the horizontal trampoline frame members.

The first horizontal member 20 has a first horizontal member socket connection 22. The first horizontal member socket connection 22 is a formed portion of the first horizontal member 20. The first horizontal member 20 generally has a tubular shape of generally round cross-section except at the formed portion. The first horizontal member socket connection 22 is inserted into the frame connector 30. Then an end of the second horizontal member 40 is inserted into the first horizontal member socket connection 22. The second horizontal member 40 has a second horizontal member formed interface 41 that transitions the shape of the second horizontal member 40 from the second horizontal member larger tube 44 down to the second horizontal member smaller tube 42. The second horizontal member smaller tube 42 has a second horizontal member smaller tube opening 43 that inserts into the first horizontal member socket connection 22.

The vertical leg member 50 has a vertical leg member upper opening 51 that connects to the frame connector 30. An outside surface of the frame connector 30 engages an inside surface of the vertical leg member upper opening 51. Similarly, the vertical leg member 50 has a vertical leg member lower opening 52. The vertical leg member lower opening 52 has an inside surface that engages an outside surface of the horizontal leg member 60. The lower end of the frame connector 30 inserts into the vertical leg member upper opening 51 and the upper end of the horizontal leg member 60 inserts into the vertical leg member lower opening 52. A trampoline enclosure can have enclosure poles mounted to the vertical leg member 50. For example, the enclosure poles can be mounted to the enclosure connector upper opening 53 and the enclosure connector lower opening 54.

The horizontal leg member 60 has a pair of upwardly turned ends. The upwardly turned ends each have a tube junction for connecting to the lower end of the vertical leg member 50. The horizontal leg member has a horizontal leg member smaller tube 62 and a horizontal leg member larger tube 64. The horizontal leg smaller tube transitions to the horizontal leg member larger tube 64 at the horizontal leg member formed interface 63. The horizontal leg member formed interface can be swaged or crimped to form a transition between the smaller and larger tubes.

The horizontal leg member smaller tube 62 has a horizontal leg member smaller tube opening 61. The horizontal leg member smaller tube opening 61 is smaller than the vertical leg member lower opening 52. The horizontal leg member smaller tube 62 inserts into the vertical leg member lower opening 52. Preferably, the snug fit is sufficient for retaining the horizontal leg member to the vertical leg member as both are tubular shaped.

The frame connector 30 is preferably made of a sheet of steel that has been folded around a die to form a T shaped connector for rigidly connecting frame members. When made of a sheet of steel, the frame connector 30 has a frame connector large tube first side 31 and a frame connector large tube second side 32 separated by a frame connector middle gap 36. The frame connector middle gap 36 can be welded for additional strength, or can be left as a gap to provide flexibility. The frame connector middle gap 36 can be welded to retain the shape of the frame connector 30. The frame connector is bisected by the frame connector middle gap 36. The diameter of the frame connector vertical portion decreases at a frame connector constriction 33 from a frame connector large tube to a frame connector small tube. The frame connector middle gap 36 also passes through and bisects the small tube to form a frame connector small tube first side 34 and a frame connector small tube second side 35. The frame connector small tube first side 34, and the frame connector small tube second side 35 have a semicircular arc shaped cross-section and are also bisected by the frame connector middle gap 36. The frame connector middle gap 36 is configured to relieve stress by increasing flexibility.

The frame connector small tube attachment opening 37 extends through the frame connector small tube first side 34 and the frame connector small tube second side 35. A bolt or other type of connector can pass through the frame connector small tube attachment opening 37 and rigidly secure the frame connector 30 to the vertical leg member 50. The external surface of the frame connector small tube first side 34 and the external surface of the frame connector small tube second side 35 engages an inside surface of the vertical leg member 50 at the vertical leg member upper opening 51. A frame connection flare section 39 flares outwardly from the horizontal socket and interfaces with the frame connector large tube.

The frame connector constriction optionally forms a ridge that has an opposing surface opposing an upper edge of the vertical leg member upper opening. The frame connector large tube first side extends downwardly to the frame connector small tube first side. Similarly, the frame connector large tube second side extends downwardly to the frame connector small tube second side. The small tube has a smaller diameter than the large tube. The large tube may have a similar diameter to the vertical leg member.

The first horizontal member has a first horizontal member bolt opening 23 that lines up with the frame connector upper portion front opening 71 and the frame connector upper portion rear opening 72. The frame connector upper portion front opening 71 is formed on the frame connector upper portion 70 and the frame connector upper portion rear opening 72 is formed on the frame connector upper portion 70. The frame connector upper portion 70 has a frame connector upper portion gap begins horizontally oriented and then extends downwardly to the frame connector middle gap 36. The frame connector upper portion strain relief gap 73 also passes through the frame connector flare section 39. The frame connector upper portion 70 preferably has a flat top 74. Also, the frame connector upper portion front opening is preferably square and having a frame connector upper portion front opening square corner 75. Similarly, the rear opening preferably has a frame connector upper portion rear opening square corner 76.

The upper bolt connector 88 is centered over the frame connector large tube and the frame connector small tube. The upper bolt connector 88 passes through the frame connector 30, the first horizontal frame member 20 and the second horizontal frame member 40 thereby connecting all three together.

A frame connector constriction weld 81 can weld the frame connector constriction to the vertical leg member. Four angled folds 82 can form the frame connector upper portion to conform to and adapt to a profile of the vertical leg member. The four angled folds 82 can form the frame connector upper portion to have a lower angled bottom profile 83. The lower angled bottom profile can match a similar V-shaped profile on the horizontal frame members such as the first horizontal frame member 20. The frame connector V-shaped profile 85 can match with a first horizontal member V-shaped profile 86.

The frame connector upper portion gap can be welded together to close the gap at a frame connector upper portion gap weld 84. The frame connector upper portion gap can be welded, and the frame connector middle gap can be welded also. 

1. A trampoline comprising: a trampoline bed suspended above the ground; a plurality of springs suspending the trampoline bed above the ground; a trampoline frame, wherein the trampoline frame further includes a frame connector that connects to a first horizontal member, wherein the frame connector also connects to a second horizontal member; a trampoline leg including a vertical leg member connected to a horizontal leg member, wherein the trampoline leg connects to the frame connector; and a frame connector large tube extending downwardly to a frame connector small tube, wherein the frame connector large tube transitions to the frame connector small tube at a frame connector constriction.
 2. The trampoline of claim 1 further comprising: a frame connector middle gap segmenting a frame connector large tube first side from a frame connector large tube second side.
 3. The trampoline of claim 1 further comprising: a frame connector middle gap segmenting a frame connector small tube first side from a frame connector small tube second side.
 4. The trampoline of claim 1 further comprising: frame connector small tube attachment opening for connecting to the vertical leg member.
 5. The trampoline of claim 1 further comprising: a frame connector upper portion formed on the frame connector, wherein the frame connector upper portion has a frame connector upper portion front opening and a frame connector upper portion rear opening, wherein a frame connector upper portion gap is formed between the frame connector upper portion front opening on the frame connector upper portion rear opening, wherein the frame connector upper portion gap extends downwardly to merge with a frame connector middle gap.
 6. The trampoline of claim 5, wherein the frame connector upper portion front opening has a frame connector upper portion front opening square corner, wherein the frame connector upper portion rear opening has a frame connector upper portion rear opening square corner.
 7. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the frame connector further comprises a frame connector upper portion that has a flat top.
 8. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the frame connector receives an upper bolt connector that is centered over the frame connector large tube and the frame connector small tube, wherein the upper bolt connector passes through the frame connector, the first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member, whereby connecting the first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member to the frame connector.
 9. The trampoline of claim 1, further comprising: a frame connector middle gap segmenting a frame connector large tube first side from a frame connector large tube second side; and a frame connector middle gap segmenting a frame connector small tube first side from a frame connector small tube second side.
 10. The trampoline of claim 9, further comprising: a frame connector small tube attachment opening for connecting to the vertical leg member.
 11. The trampoline of claim 9, further comprising: a frame connector upper portion formed on the frame connector, wherein the frame connector upper portion has a frame connector upper portion front opening and a frame connector upper portion rear opening, wherein a frame connector upper portion gap is formed between the frame connector upper portion front opening on the frame connector upper portion rear opening, wherein the frame connector upper portion gap extends downwardly to merge with a frame connector middle gap.
 12. The trampoline of claim 11, wherein the frame connector upper portion front opening has a frame connector upper portion front opening square corner, wherein the frame connector upper portion rear opening has a frame connector upper portion rear opening square corner.
 13. The trampoline of claim 9, wherein the frame connector further comprises a frame connector upper portion that has a flat top.
 14. The trampoline of claim 9, wherein the frame connector receives an upper bolt connector that is centered over the frame connector large tube and the frame connector small tube, wherein the upper bolt connector passes through the frame connector, the first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member, whereby connecting the first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member to the frame connector.
 15. The trampoline of claim 14, wherein the frame connector constriction is welded to the vertical leg member at a frame connector constriction weld.
 16. The trampoline of claim 15, wherein the frame connector has a lower angled bottom profile formed by angled folds on the frame connector.
 17. The trampoline of claim 15, wherein the frame connector upper portion gap is welded at a frame connector upper portion gap weld.
 18. The trampoline of claim 15, wherein the frame connector middle gap is welded. 